Dahlia Extravaganza

Get lost in the incredible world of dahlias. In this dreamy, flower filled workshop, you’ll learn all about growing and designing with dahlias. Whether you’re a total beginner or have been growing dahlias for years, there’s something in this class for everyone.

Part 1: Growing

Starting with the basics, learn our dahlia tips and tricks from the flower farm where we grow 4000 dahlia plants and almost 400 varieties each year. Dahlias are an incredibly tough plant. Once you ‘crack the code’ for growing them in your location, they’re easy to grow, dig, divide, store and replant year after year. We’ll walk you through each step, give you personalised recommendations and provide you with a seasonal plan.

With a focus on growing dahlias for cut flowers, you’ll learn how to:

-       Buy the best varieties and forms for cutting

-       Stake and prune for strong, tall stems

-       Harvest and condition for the longest vase life

Part 2: Tour, Dahlia Cuttings and Breeding your own Dahlias

In this hands-on part of the workshop, learn how to take dahlia cuttings to quickly increase your plant numbers. Knowing how to take cuttings is really useful - either in rescuing rotting tubers, or as an insurance policy, worth taking out if you’ve just managed to secure one of the coveted ‘unicorn’ varieties.

Next, learn how to grow your own dahlias from seed. Breed your own varieties – who knows, you might discover the next Café au Lait! Whether you’re interested in setting up a mini dahlia breeding programme or just like the fun of playing the dahlia seed lottery, you’ll learn:

- which varieties are good seed producers,

- how to influence the seed parents

-autumn tasks for producing and harvesting viable seed

-seed growing tips and tricks

-how to set up your seedling cutting garden

Part 3: Designing with Dahlias

Here’s where the colour really starts! We’ll demonstrate:

- unusual ways to arrange different shapes and sizes of dahlias

- which filler flowers and foliage work best with dahlias

- how to add scent to your dahlia bunch

-how to dry dahlias to add to your dried arrangements

End the day by getting creative and making a big, beautiful dahlia arrangement in a vase to take home with you.

What’s Included:

-       A welcome gift on arrival

-       An indulgent afternoon tea with sweet and savory treats.

-       Dahlia tour, all course material, small group instruction.

-       Take home your big dahlia vase arrangement.

-       Dahlia seeds from our Flower Farm’s growing programme

The Locations:

We are running this class in two locations:

The Oaks is conveniently located in Blakiston in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. The workshop is held in the beautiful studio of the heritage home of acclaimed journalist and author, Christine McCabe. We will tour Christine’s incredible garden and visit her fenced, (rabbit proof) raised dahlia bed.

The Flower Farm is located between Robe and Kingston SE. Only open to visitors attending our workshops, tour the working lower farm and learn how we grow thousands of flowers year round. Workshops are held in our beautiful flower studio.

Notes:

Please wear closed toe shoes for the tour and bring sun protection with you. We are able to provide vegetarian options for the tea but sadly don’t have the resources to cater for other diets. If you have specific requirements, please bring your own refreshments.